Yakima Police want to buy eight license plate readers

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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima Police want to get license plate readers in their arsenal once again. The department had a couple, but they haven't worked for years.

Now YPD hopes to purchase eight. That would cost about $165,000. These new readers could scan the plate of a car going up to 120 miles per hour, day or night. And can work from the front, back and sides of patrol cars.

“I think it's going to be very effective. I think that we're going to find ways to use them to combat crime that we really haven't even imagined yet. It's much, much broader than just the stolen vehicle aspect," said Capt. Jeff Schneider, Yakima Police.

If city leaders approve the purchase, the readers could be in use in Yakima within a few months.